TAUNTON School cricketers have enjoyed a successful cricket tour to UAE and Qatar.

Twenty-four students, aged 15-18, took part in 12 matches – including day-night games – across Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, pitting themselves against academy, adult and national teams.

Both teams – U-16s and U-18s – had the opportunity to play on the only grass pitch in Qatar, at their national 17,000 all-seater stadium, against the national age group teams.

They were guests at the Emirates Palace field, where the square is located in the grounds.

They also challenged the Zayed Academy teams, on the ground where two days later the Pakistan and New Zealand teams would play a remarkable game of one-day cricket.

The U-16 team had the opportunity to play a ‘Test Match’ while the U-18s took on a touring team from India in Sharjah, in front of a very impressive mosque.

They also played at the ‘home of UAE cricket’, the ICC Academy centre.

The boys were able to experience the culture and learn more about the countries and their beliefs through a range of different trips, including to the Grand Mosque which is the third largest in the world.